So Apple is pulling out of Macworld Expo, which if history is any guide will likely doom the event. But that's perfectly OK—and probably even good.
Macworld is a relic of a bygone era where vendors actually needed to pay $15,000 for a small booth in order to get noticed. The modern equivalent is a simple website, which is not only effectively free but also requires a lot less standing. But there is something you get at a big show that you don't get on the web: facetime.
When I attended WWDC last June, I didn't even register for the show. I knew I'd be able to get all of the content from the sessions on the web later in the comfort of my own office. I went for the parties. It's one thing to exchange emails with someone, and something else entirely to have a beer with him. In-person events evoke a true sense of community and camaraderie that's hard to express and experience online. Plus, I learned more during my dinner with the Sync Services team than I had in a year of reading syncservices-dev@lists.apple.com.
So I absolutely support Wil Shipley's suggestion:
Here's an idea if MacWorld Expo wants to survive: fire GES, let developer community come for cheap, hire whoever. Indies, like the old days.
Better yet, I'd like to see a community-driven event like John Gruber's (tongue-in-cheek?) suggestion of a Daring Fireball Conference and Expo.
So, when are where will DFCE be held? I'll be there.
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